Empire SOHO, Subang Jaya
With the boom after condos and apartments along this really happening street, we were quite interested to take a look at this latest project. But what greeted us something entirely different from what we expected, and it was only after some deliberation that we decided to include a review of the place here in Property Malaysia.
But first on the location – when we say boom, it definitely is one. Long time ago, there was only he Mesiniaga building, Subang Parade (plus that small gardening shop behind it), Wisma Consplant, and some government offices here in Section 16 of Subang Jaya, right in front of the KTM Komuter station and second hand car showroom. Later came Wisma Tractors, and Carrefour. But in the past few years a few condos appearing here is set to transform this rather docile business district into something more vibrant. Some of the ones along this road are as follows:
Saujana Residency
One Subang
Subang Avenue
Tiaraville (including e-tiara)
Jana Towers (this one went all wonky until just recently. Besides, this one is also bit up the road)
And now, there is another huge project to add more cars to the roads – Empire Subang. Let’s get one thing straight – this is a massive commercial and investment project, targeting businesses and investors. At the centre of it is Empire Gallery, a 3-storey shopping centre, set to grab the limelight from neighbouring Subang Parade (which is beginning to show its age despite a recent facelift). Above the Empire Gallery is a tower of SOHO units, and at each flank are two other towers, one is a soon-to-be launched office block, and another is a hotel Empire Suites.
The way they’ve set up the hotel is really different – investors are invited to buy ‘units’ (actually the hotel rooms or suites), and rent it back to management for a Guaranteed Rental Return of 8% (it’s really about 7% if you read the fine print about maintenance fees). The setup here is rather complicated to get into, and since it isn’t a property for residence, it is outside the scope of Property Malaysia. Nevertheless, sales have been good and at the time we viewed it, only a handful units of the 217 were left unsold. For the record, the room sizes are from 368 to 522sq.ft. and units cost about RM169k – RM252k.
Obviously the office block and shopping gallery is also outside the coverage of our blog, but the only area we can cover is the SOHO units, which is also considered borderline. Why so? Most of the buyers, we feel will be investors looking to rent out to small businesses. There are only 2 type of units available, a smaller one at 793 or 797sq.ft. (a slight variation of the layout accounts for the extra space) and there are also very limited number of units at a larger 1,193sq.ft.
Actually, this unit layout is also quite confusing, and we’re betting a lot of people will caught unawares of it. The brochure shows the layout to a single floor of 542sq.ft. But it doesn’t mention that the unit comes with a ‘renovation package’ which adds a mezzanine half floor to your unit. However, ALL units come with this ‘renovation package’ and you can’t choose not to have it, it pretty much comes with your unit during handover. That’s how they account for the 793sq.ft. and 1,193sq.ft. instead of just 542sq.ft. Why then call it a ‘renovation package’? And why confuse people with the different build-up. Perhaps one reason is that the maintenance fee is calculated based on 542sq.ft.
That aside, the unit is studio style and is designed for SOHO, so to speak. There is a small entrance foyer, and the unit is split into two, front being the dining, and the kitchen taking up the back. In the kitchen there is a stairways going up to the mezzanine floor which house a bedroom half the size of the unit. So the dining room has a double volume height. So where’s the ‘Small Office’ part of the SOHO? Well according to them, the entire lower floor can be converted into one, but you won’t have a dining nor kitchen, now would you? What we can see is the whole unit will be an office – upstairs will be made into an office room or store, not a living space.
There is a skybar lounge on the 8th floor of the SOHO block, but you need to be a member to access that area, which means you need to pay more if you want to join. But this lounge is also used by the hotel, so it isn’t an exclusive place as you would expect. There are 30 SOHO units per floor, and all in all there are 8 levels of units. Each unit does not come with any parking at all, you need to rent monthly from the management. All 4 different components of this development will have separate entrances, but they all lead out to the same road, the one that will be quite heavily trafficked when all the condos here are completed.
Anyway, as we said, this whole development is commercial through and through, and it is doing very well in terms of sales. I doubt anyone will want to buy and stay here, since there are other more viable choices around here with better facilities and ambience. So the whole feel of the place will be quite impersonal and different, but if you’re looking to locate your small business, or invest in a GRR scheme, there probably are a few units left here.
The company behind this project has also developed the Loft and the Ara in Bangsar.
| Project Name | Empire SOHO, Empire Subang |
| Location | Seksyen 16, Subang Jaya |
| Description | SOHO units in integrated commercial development |
| Land type | Freehold |
| Land Size | 3.8 acres |
| Encumbrances | Charged to OCBC Bank |
| Price | from about RM208k to RM238k |
| Unit size | from 793, 797 and 1,193sq.ft. |
| No of units | about 240 |
| Launch Date | now available |
| Expected Completion | end 2010 |
| Developer | Couture Home Sdn. Bhd. (member of the MEH Group) |
| Contact | 03 – 5632 7588 |
| Website | www.meh.com.my |
| Marketing Agent | Venture Properties |
No car-park? How sure am I that the parking operator will let out 1 car-park to me later? What if they don’t, or what if it’s too expensive?
Another thing, why is the developer so “kuai-shih”? When are they gonna build the mezzanine? Will I have to wait another few months, even when the building is completed, to allow for this? Are you sure this is legal? Have the authorities approved it?
Hmmmm…..facilities are shared? Won’t hotel guests mind having so many people sharing their faclities? Looks very messy lah!!!…….and so dense
Comment by redding — May 18, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Hi, i am thinking of buying one the office units .. there are only a few units left. But i have never bot any commercial properties before, so, anybody who’s looked at the office package or bot one, would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thanks
Comment by goatie — June 7, 2007 @ 4:15 pm
I bought 2 unit. i belive this project will be successful. We as owner must make sure we don’t rent it out to any tom dick and harry, make sure they are reputable ones! then the quality of the tenant can be control. Don’t rent it out at any price, make sure the RM/sqf is market rate!! OWNERS LETS BE COPERATIVE
Comment by Tan — June 11, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
I bought 2 unit. i belive this project will be successful. We as owner must make sure we don’t rent it out to any tom dick and harry, make sure they are reputable ones! then the quality of the tenant can be control. Don’t rent it out at any price, make sure the RM/sqf is market rate!! OWNERS LETS BE COPERATIVE
Comment by Tan RS — June 11, 2007 @ 7:26 pm
I have a unit to sale
Comment by ang sew hong — December 10, 2008 @ 10:46 am
I have a suite unit to sell too..Just email to puvand@gmail.com..guarenteed 8% rental per year for 5 years…cheers!!!
Comment by Puvan — January 19, 2009 @ 1:40 am
Hi Sew Hong & Puvan, heard tht you both have units for sale. Is it office suites unit or soho ? I am kind of interested. Could you send me more information about it to my e-mail add: nicktan2003@gmail.com
Comment by Nick — February 24, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
Hi Sew Hong & Puvan, pls email yr unit info to sabrinna_s@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Comment by Darling — March 9, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
when would be the completion date?
Comment by kg — April 1, 2009 @ 4:23 pm
looking to rent 2000sqft office…please let me know if you are willing to rent 3+3 years…
Comment by kg — April 1, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
i am looking for the SOHO unit. any for sale? Kindly e-mail
details.
Comment by chan ks — April 27, 2009 @ 8:01 am
an article on the traffic situation in ss16
http://propertymalaysia.blogsome.com/2009/05/25/784/
Comment by Administrator — May 25, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
I am interested in the Soho unit, please contact me if anyone wants to let go. email: jonnieweng@yahoo.com
Comment by Weng — May 27, 2009 @ 12:36 am
I would like to sell my SOHO unit. email me at ks_ng@hotmail.com
Comment by NG K S — May 29, 2009 @ 10:17 pm
I am intersted, anyone selling plz email me at yes@etoad.com. Thanks.
Comment by Kang — July 11, 2009 @ 10:15 am
I am interested in buying SOHO unit facing pool, any interested pls email me at sabrinna_s@yahoo.com
Comment by Sabrina — July 25, 2009 @ 12:21 am
Hi, am interested in buying a SOHO unit. Any sellers pls email me at ss.metro2008@gmail.com. Thanks
Comment by Lee — July 27, 2009 @ 11:15 pm
I am interested in office suites - are there any for sale?
Comment by KG — July 29, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
I m interested to buy soho & office - please email me vinkoi.me@gmail.com
Comment by Vinct — August 17, 2009 @ 5:30 pm
I am the marketing arm for Empire Subang. Please feel free to contact me if anyone one of you are interested to rent Soho or our corporate tower. VP expected Sept 2009. Rgds,
Nancy Ng 012-2229696
Comment by nancy ng — August 17, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
I am interested in soho unit.kindly call 0162826851 or email to ksp188@yahoo.com thanks.
Comment by ker soh peng — August 17, 2009 @ 10:51 pm
Hi, i’m interested to purchase a unit of empire, Subang. Kindly email me some particulars and price for whom ever that want to sell. Thank you. ( Patrickykm@yahoo.com )
Comment by Patrick Xee — September 1, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
Hi, I’m interested to purchase a unit in Empire Subang. Can you email me the detail please. TQ
Comment by SN — September 1, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
Hi.Im interested to buy one SOHo unit.pls email me at fairuzb.borhan@gmail.com
Comment by fairuz — September 9, 2009 @ 5:53 am
Puvand, pls email info on Empire Suites to Jessie.lacklb@klbar.org.my.
Thanks
Comment by Jessie — September 9, 2009 @ 9:37 am
I have a purchaser looking to purchase 2 units of empire soho, Subang Jaya, Kindly contact me at 016-322 1571
Comment by Gerald — September 17, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
I have one unit of empire soho for sale. contact 012 302 1419
Comment by ng — September 17, 2009 @ 9:01 pm
Hi, I have interest in buying 2 units for 7th floor and above facing the wisma consplant. Owners please email me the details of your units and I will contact you. Thanks
Comment by tan — September 18, 2009 @ 11:38 pm
sorry, my email address is hunny82@gmail.com…thanks
Comment by tan — September 18, 2009 @ 11:40 pm
interested in soho unit .anyone interested to sell,can email to ksp188@yahoo.com. serious buyer not agent.
or can call 0162826851
Comment by ker soh peng — September 19, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
I like to rent my unit, email me at sewhong33@yahoo.com
Comment by sewhong — September 23, 2009 @ 8:51 am
2 adjacent SOHO units available for rental, 1 floor below club level 8, facing Wisma Consplant. Pl email for more info.
Comment by chin — September 23, 2009 @ 10:38 am
Apologies, my email add is jetschin@yahoo.com
Comment by chin — September 23, 2009 @ 10:39 am
Hi, I am interested to buy a SOHO Empire unit. Anyone interested to sell, please email me at wongsaungor@gmail.com Thanks.
Comment by snwong — September 24, 2009 @ 11:05 pm
I’m keen to purchase a unit SOHO EMPIRE size 1,193 sq.ft Pls email me at charyslim_1998@hotmail.com
Thankyou
Comment by Chris — September 27, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
I am interested to purchase an unit of soho empire. Welcome any agenst or owners to drop me an email. Thank you.
Comment by Robbie — October 4, 2009 @ 1:40 am
My email: pengkiat@gmail.com
Comment by Robbie — October 4, 2009 @ 1:42 am
I have a SOHO unit for rent, 7th flr, one flr below the club. Kindly contact me at 0123980023. TQ
Comment by Ong — October 8, 2009 @ 6:27 pm
I have a hotel suite for sale. 368sf. Comes with guaranteed rental for 10yrs. Pls contact me for further details at 0162525676. Just drop me a sms if you cant reach me at my mobile. Agents are also welcome. Thanks.
Comment by JM — October 10, 2009 @ 5:08 pm
Interested in soho 1193sf.Kindly email to ksp188@yahoo.com
Not agent serious buyer.Thanks
Comment by ker soh peng — October 29, 2009 @ 2:07 pm
I have two units for sale & rent.Soho empire subang(797sf).Interested pls email to ksp188@yahoo.com.Will contact you later .Thanks!
Comment by ker soh peng — November 1, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
I’m interested to buy both soho and hotel unit. Please email to me at gene.r.us1@gmail.com. Looking forward to a swift sale.
Comment by Gene — November 6, 2009 @ 12:39 am